The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

South African vehicle sales surge to six-year high in July: these were the 15 top-selling manufacturers

South African new vehicle sales surged to their highest level in almost six years in July, cementing 10 consecutive months of growth for the industry.

July saw a total of 51,383 vehicles being sold across the country, Naamsa | the Automotive Business Council reported, which is the highest monthly sales figure recorded since October 2019.

This figure also represents a 15.6% improvement over July 2024. New passenger car sales, at 36,248 units, led the way with year-on-year growth of 20.1%, buoyed by strong rental car sales that accounted for 14% of this segment.

Light commercial vehicle sales, at 11,556 units, grew by a more modest 6.9% versus the same month last year, while medium commercial vehicle sales grew by 13.9% to 703 units. Heavy commercials and buses declined by 1.3% to 2,076 units.

Dealer sales accounted for 83.1% of the overall vehicle market, followed by the rental industry (11.1%), government (3.1%) and industry corporates (2.7%).

Toyota enjoyed its usual lofty lead, with an impressive total volume of 12,694 units, followed by Suzuki Auto (6,257) and Volkswagen (5,738).

15 Top Manufacturers: July 2025

Toyota - 12,694
Suzuki Auto - 6,257
Volkswagen - 5,738
Hyundai - 3,161
Ford - 2,877
GWM SA - 2,436
Isuzu - 2,427
Chery - 2,160
Kia - 1,891
Mahindra - 1,441
Renault - 1,320
BMW - 1,249
Nissan - 1,190
Omoda & Jaecoo - 1,069
Jetour - 717

 
Hilux sales climb to 2-year high! SA’s best-selling bakkies in July 2025

In July 2025, the Toyota Hilux registered its highest single-month total in nearly 2 years, breaching the 3 000-unit mark for the 2nd time this year…

In July 2025, South Africa’s total new-vehicle market hit a near-6-year high, improving 15.6% year on year to 51 383 units. In the process, the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment registered its 4th straight month of year-on-year growth, gaining 6.9% to 12 356 units. So, what happened on the list of Mzansi’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in July?

Well, the Toyota Hilux registered its highest single-month total since September 2023 – yes, almost 2 years ago – ending July 2025 on a whopping 3 120 units (including 395 sales via the rental channel). That represents not only the 2nd time this year the Prospecton-built stalwart has cracked the 3 000-unit mark but also a 2.8% month-on-month improvement over June 2025‘s showing.

Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger retained the runner-up position, though sales of the Blue Oval brand’s Silverton-manufactured contender – which was recently the subject of a recall, along with 3 other Ford models – slipped 6.5% month on month to 2 168 units. The Isuzu D-Max was thus just 166 units behind in 3rd, with local registrations of the Struandale-produced bakkie growing 19.3% month on month to 2 002 units (including a heady 487 sales to government).

There were likewise no positional changes in the rest of the top 5 in July 2025, with the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (down 9%, month on month, to 783 units) keeping hold of 4th and the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (down 9.6%, month on month, to 534 units) retaining 5th. Sourced from Japan, the latter was therefore again the top-ranked fully imported bakkie.

10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for July 2025

1. Toyota Hilux – 3 120 units

2. Ford Ranger – 2 168 units

3. Isuzu D-Max – 2 002 units

4. Mahindra Pik Up – 783 units

5. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 534 units

6. GWM P-Series – 395 units

7. Nissan Navara – 393 units

8. Volkswagen Amarok – 381 units

9. Foton Tunland G7 – 214 units

10. JAC T-Series – 174 units

 
Gotta believe its the company fleets that have that Hilux always on the top. The risk on a private citizen on that vehicle for theft and hi-jacking is sky high!
 
SA Records Highest New-Vehicle Sales in Nearly Six Years in July 2025

Naamsa has released South Africa’s new-vehicle sales figures for July 2025, which signified the highest monthly sales since October 2019.

According to Naamsa, South Africa’s new-vehicle market has reached its highest monthly sales figure since October 2019, with July 2025 recording 51 383 units sold. The Automotive Business Council of South Africa says this surge in sales reflects growing customer confidence, improved economic conditions, and the sector’s resilience despite global uncertainty.

The 51 383 units sold in July 2025 signifies an increase of 16%, or 6 231 units, over July 2024’s 44 452 units sold. This marks the highest single-month sales total recorded since October 2019. Naamsa says this can be attributed to factors such as improved consumer confidence, favourable credit conditions, and recovery in disposable income.

www.carmag.co.za

SA Records Highest New-Vehicle Sales in Nearly Six Years in July 2025

Naamsa has released South Africa’s new-vehicle sales figures for July 2025, which signified the country's highest monthly sales since 2019...
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Kia Sonet back in top 10! SA passenger-car sales in July 2025

The Kia Sonet returned to the list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in July 2025, while the locally built Volkswagen Polo Vivo reclaimed the top spot…

In July 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market improved 15.6% year on year to 51 383 units, its best showing since October 2019. As has been the case for several months now, that growth was largely driven by the new passenger-vehicle market, which gained an even more robust 20.1% year on year to finish on 36 248 units.

Interestingly, the rental market contributed a considerable 14.0% – or as many as 5 067 units – to July 2025’s figure of 36 248 units, resulting in Mzansi’s best monthly new passenger-vehicle performance since as long ago as January 2017.

So, what happened on the list of SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles? Well, after having to settle for the runner-up position in June 2025, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo reclaimed the top spot in July 2025, with sales of the Kariega-built hatchback increasing 22.8% month on month to 2 409 units. That figure included 647 sales via the rental channel, 204 sales to government and 137 “single” registrations (vehicles VW Group Africa kept for its own use).

Therefore, the Prospecton-produced Toyota Corolla Cross fell a ranking to 2nd, with its total decreasing 8.6% month on month to 1 949 units. Of that figure, 248 units represented sales to the rental industry, while 87 units were single registrations and 30 units were sales to government.

SA’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in July 2025

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 409 units

2. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 949 units

3. Suzuki Swift – 1 872 units

4. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (excluding LCV) – 1 604 units

5. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 392 units

6. Toyota Starlet – 1 322 units

7. Suzuki Fronx – 1 220 units

8. Haval Jolion – 1 102 units

9. Kia Sonet (excluding LCV) – 1 099 units

10. Toyota Fortuner – 984 units

 
Toyota secures 24.7% market share, dominating South Africa's vehicle sales landscape

Despite South Africa’s economic and operating environment challenges, the automotive industry is showing great resilience, with new vehicle sales reaching their highest level in almost six years following 10 months of growth.

According to Naamsa, in July aggregate new vehicle sales amounted to 51,383 units, an impressive 15.6% increase from the 44,452 units sold in July 2024.

Dominating

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) continues to reflect this, dominating the charge with a market share of 24.7%.

They had the lion’s share of the passenger car market, light commercial vehicles and medium commercial vehicles with 12,694 units, with Toyota moving 12,257, Lexus 84 and Hino 353 units.

“Although the current automotive landscape remains challenging, it is remarkable to witness our brand’s consistent growth. The further reduction of the repo rate is much-welcomed relief - this will enable us to continue to serve many of our customers who trust and rely on our brands to move them forward,” said Leon Theron, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors.

Corolla Cross

The company’s best-performing segment remains passenger cars, with 7,900 units sold. Displaying its steady performance, 1,949 Corolla Cross units found new homes whilst Starlet sales rebounded, recording 1,322 units.

Maintaining an upward sales trend since the second quarter of 2025, the Fortuner and the Starlet Cross moved 984 units and 757 units, respectively.

More than doubling its sales to 757 units, the Rumion returned as a stronger contender, in comparison to June 2025 (375 units).

Despite the challenging premium luxury market, Lexus shifted a total of 84 units. The Lexus LX sold five more vehicles, signalling a keen interest in SUVs with hybrid technology.

 
Top 5 Best-Selling Bakkies in SA – July 2025

We’ve rounded up the five best-selling bakkies in South Africa in July 2025, and highlight the models that missed out on the list.

In July 2025, South Africa’s monthly new-car sales surged to a near six-year high, with naamsa reporting a total of 51 383 new cars were sold in the seventh month of this year; an increase of 15.6% over what was recorded in the same month in 2024. Of the overall sales figure the light commercial (LCV) segment accounted for 12 356 units, or 24%; signifying a gain of 6.9%, or 800 units, over July 2024.

SA’s Top 5 Best-Selling Bakkies in July 2025

Toyota Hilux – 3 120 units (up 85)
Ford Ranger – 2 168 units (down 150)
Isuzu D-Max – 2 002 units (up 324)
Mahindra Scorpio Pik Up – 783 units (down 77)
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 534 units (down 57)

Missing out on the top five were the GWM P-Series (395 units sold), Nissan Navara (393 units sold), and Volkswagen Amarok (381 units sold).

www.carmag.co.za

Top 5 Best-Selling Bakkies in SA - July 2025

We’ve rounded up the five best-selling bakkies in South Africa in July 2025, and highlight the models that missed out on the list...
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Toyota SA Reaffirms Market Leadership with July 2025 Sales

Toyota South Africa continues to lead the market in new-car sales, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker achieving 24.7% market share in July 2025.

In July 2025, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) was once again South Africa’s best-selling car brand. The firm excelled in the passenger-car segment, with the 7 900 units sold accounting for 62.2% of the automaker’s total local sales. The Corolla Cross, the second best-selling passenger car in South Africa this month, led the charge with 1 949 units sold. The Starlet, which claimed sixth position in this segment, contributed 1 322 units to the overall sales figure. The firm’s third and fourth best-selling passenger cars were the Fortuner (984 units sold) and Starlet Cross (757 units sold). Noteworthy, Rumion sales more than doubled, from 375 units in June 2025 to 757 units in July. The Land Cruiser also performed well, with the 287 units sold in July 2025 signifying an increase of 101 units over June 2025.

On the LCV (light commercial vehicle) front, 3 120 new Hilux units found homes in the seventh month of the year; a record-breaking performance by Toyota’s top-selling product, and best-selling bakkie in July 2025, which garnered a 26.8% market share in this segment. Land Cruiser 79 sales were 534 units.

www.carmag.co.za

Toyota SA Reaffirms Market Leadership with July 2025 Sales

Toyota SA continues to lead the market in new-car sales, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker achieving 24.7% market share...
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Suzuki SA Sets Second Highest Monthly Sales Record in July 2025

Suzuki Auto South Africa has celebrated its strong July 2025 sales performance; setting a new dealer record and recording its second highest monthly sales performance.

Suzuki Auto South Africa has had another successful month of new-vehicle sales, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker recording its second highest monthly sales performance yet. According to naamsa, Suzuki SA sold 6 257 new vehicles in July 2025, only 142 units less than the brand’s January 2025 record of 6 399 units.

Suzuki’s dealer network was responsible for the sale of 5 069 units; besting the April 2025 record by 54 units. The other 1 188 units were sold as fleet vehicles, and to rental and government customers.

The firm’s sales performance placed it in second place among South Africa’s best-selling car brands in July 2025.

www.carmag.co.za

Suzuki SA Sets Second Highest Monthly Sales Record in July 2025

The second best-selling car brand in SA, Suzuki has recorded its second highest monthly sales performance and new dealer sales record...
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These 3 Chinese brands just posted their best SA sales yet

In July 2025, as many as 3 Chinese brands posted their best sales figures yet in South Africa. Here’s a quick look at their respective performances last month…

While the GWM and Chery marques remain the dominant Chinese brands in South Africa’s new-vehicle market, other contenders from the East Asian nation are clearly gaining a foothold. In fact, in July 2025, as many as 3 other Chinese firms posted their best local sales figures yet.

Yes, last month saw Omoda & Jaecoo – described as an “independent” division of the broader Chery Group – register its highest single-month total yet, reaching 1 069 units. This comes after Brand O&J breached the 1 000-unit mark for the very first time in the prior month, when it hit 1 009 units.

Enough to see it rank 14th overall and 10th in the passenger-vehicle segment in July 2025, Omoda & Jaecoo’s 1 069-unit haul comprised 524 units of the Omoda C5 along with 289 units of the Omoda C5 X, some 170 units of the Jaecoo J7 and finally 86 units of the Omoda C9. All were registered via the dealer channel, meaning the brand’s total wasn’t inflated by rental or government sales.

Meanwhile, Jetour – which also falls under the Chery Group banner but similarly describes itself as “independent” – ranked 15th overall and 12th in the passenger-vehicle space in July 2025, putting up a record 717 units (eclipsing its previous best of 683 units, which it achieved in June). All of its sales were likewise registered through the dealer channel.

 
The vehicles that drove SA’s huge rental sales in July 2025

The rental industry helped drive SA’s best new-vehicle sales month in almost 6 years. These were the most popular cars with the local rental-fleet buyers in July 2025…

In July 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market increased 15.6% year on year to 51 383 units, the industry’s highest sales total since October 2019. Interestingly, the rental market played a significant role in what turned out to be a massive sales month.

As many as 5 701 units (or a considerable 11.1%) of July 2025’s total reported domestic figure represented sales via the rental channel, with that share increasing to a heady 14.0% (or 5 067 units out of 36 248 units) when we drill down to the passenger-vehicle segment. So, which vehicles proved most popular with local rental-fleet buyers last month?

Well, we’ve rummaged through Naamsa’s sales statistics and identified the 10 best-selling vehicles to rental companies for July. Interestingly, Toyota accounted for half of the vehicles in the top 10, with the remainder shared among 5 other manufacturers. The top 10 comprised 4 models built in SA, along with 6 imported from India.

Considering its overall dominance of the market, it’s perhaps no surprise Toyota was the automaker with the most sales through the rental channel in July, with 1 972 units registered. Suzuki (1 168 units) was 2nd most popular with rental-fleet buyers, followed by the Volkswagen Group (956 units) and Kia (460 units).

10 best-selling vehicles to SA’s rental industry in July 2025

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 647 units (26.9% of 2 409 units)

2. Suzuki Swift – 615 units (32.9% of 1 872 units)

3. Toyota Starlet – 438 units (33.1% of 1 322 units)

4. Toyota Hilux – 395 units (12.7% of 3 120 units)

5. Toyota Fortuner – 353 units (35.9% of 984 units)

6. Toyota Corolla Cross – 248 units (12.7% of 1 949 units)

7. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 236 units (34.9% of 677 units)

8. Kia Sonet – 235 units (21.4% of 1 099 units)

9. Hyundai Grand i10 – 233 units (16.8% of 1 392 units)

10. Nissan Magnite – 230 units (30.5% of 754 units)

 
The Ferrari 296 GTS outsold these 18 cars in SA last month

Fun fact: the multi-million-rand Ferrari 296 GTS outsold as many as 18 mainstream passenger vehicles in South Africa in July 2025. These are the models it beat…

In July 2025, Scuderia SA – the official distributor of new Ferrari vehicles in South Africa – reported a total of 8 registrations, including 5 units of the 296 GTS, a pair of 12Cilindri units and a single example of the Purosangue.

That had us thinking: which mainstream passenger vehicles did the multi-million-rand Ferrari 296 GTS outsell in Mzansi last month? So, we sifted through the local sales figures and picked out all the models that managed fewer than 5 sales in July.

So, let’s take a look at the 18 models the 296 GTS managed to outsell last month. The list includes the facelifted Audi Q7, the fully electric GWM Ora 03, the Lexus ES sedan and the Toyota Corolla Hatch, each of which managed just 4 units in July.

The Honda Civic, Lexus UX, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Outback and Volvo XC90 finished July on only 3 units apiece, as did the Toyota GR Supra and Toyota GR Yaris. Meanwhile, the Audi A7 Sportback, Honda CR-V, Lexus RZ (though note this electric model is not yet being actively marketed locally due to a lack of local allocation) and Toyota GR86 each settled on 2 units last month.

Finally, the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Alfa Romeo Tonale were all single-unit sellers in South Africa in July, as was the fully electric Volvo EX90 that launched locally earlier this year.

 
Mahindra celebrates 30 years in SA with new state-of-the-art vehicle assembly plant

Mahindra South Africa has opened their new, purpose-built Vehicle Assembly Facility at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal.

It also marks the Indian manufacturer’s thirtieth year in South Africa with the new plant, located close to Mahindra’s original 2018 semi-knocked-down automotive facility assembly site and represents a significant scale-up in both capacity and technical sophistication.

Increased capacity

The Durban facility can assemble over 1,000 Pik Up single and double cab models per month, with the ability to scale further as demand grows. It also offers the flexibility to accommodate new models Mahindra plans to introduce in the coming years, alongside an increasing level of locally sourced components.

“Our original facility played a pivotal role in establishing our local footprint,” said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

“As demand for our locally assembled Pik Up range continued to rise, we needed a facility with the scale, flexibility, and technology to meet future growth while maintaining world-class quality.”

Mahindra’s global engineering teams have been working with local suppliers to identify opportunities for greater localisation, further supporting South Africa’s industrial development.

full-scale manufacturing

Earlier this year, Mahindra partnered with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to launch a feasibility study into building a full-scale manufacturing plant in the country. The insights from operations at the new Durban facility will play an important role in shaping the study.

“This investment underscores our confidence in South Africa as both a manufacturing base and a key growth market for Mahindra globally.

“It also reflects our commitment to creating jobs and supporting local industry,” Gupta added.

According to Sachin Arolkar, Head of International Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, “South Africa is a cornerstone market in Mahindra’s international growth strategy.

 
Mahindra SA Opens New Production Plant to Ramp Up Bakkie Production

Mahindra SA has opened a new assembly plant in Durban to increase local production of their Pik Up bakkie.

Located in the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal Mahindra’s new South African-based manufacturing plant has been opened as the Indian automaker enters its third decade in the country. The new facility is both more technically sophisticated and larger, and promises advanced quality control systems, expanded production lines, and, indeed, dedicated customisation zones for South African customers.

CEO of Mahindra South Africa Rajesh Gupta said, “Our original facility played a pivotal role in establishing our local footprint. As demand for our locally assembled Pik Up range continued to rise, we needed a facility with the scale, flexibility, and technology to meet future growth while maintaining world-class quality.”

The firm says its new Durban facility will be capable of assembling 1 000 Pik Up single- and double-cab models each month to begin with. However, Mahindra expects local demand for the Pik Up to grow and, as such, can ramp up production accordingly. In addition, the facility has been designed to assemble new models Mahindra plans to introduce locally in the future. Mahindra also aims to increasingly localise their SA operations by partnering with local suppliers and increasing locally sourced components.

www.carmag.co.za

Mahindra SA Opens New Production Plant to Ramp Up Bakkie Production

Mahindra SA has opened a new assembly plant in Durban to increase local production of their Pik Up bakkie...
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Ford Ranger bakkie dominates model rankings as South Africa's used car sales soar

While a lot of attention is focused on monthly new car sales, which have been showing a steady monthly upward trend, so too has the used vehicle market been showing year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month growth (MoM), reflecting the continued trend of renewed consumer confidence.

Minor shifts

The top five best-selling used vehicles remain unchanged, but the bottom half of the top 10 has shown several minor shifts, indicating a change in the mindset of South African used car buyers.

Based on the latest sales data from AutoTrader, 33,919 used vehicles were sold in July 2025, representing YoY and MoM increases of 7% and 9.4%, respectively.

This makes last month the strongest sales period for 2025 so far, with a consistent rise over the past few months. In June, 31,008 sales were recorded, compared to 31,741 in May.

Toyota leads

As expected, Toyota retained its first-place ranking of the most popular used car brands in July, with 5,878 used cars sold last month. The Japanese automaker also recorded the biggest MoM increase of 13%, while YoY sales rose by 7%.

Volkswagen followed in second place with 4,638 sales, posting smaller but steady gains of 7% MoM and 5% YoY. Ford secured third position with 3,604 sales, showing a MoM increase of 12% and a modest 3% YoY rise.

Hyundai delivered the strongest growth overall, with a YoY surge of 49% and 2,416 sales in July. Suzuki also performed well, recording a 41% YoY increase.

However, premium marques BMW and Mercedes-Benz saw declines of 2% and 12% YoY, respectively, while Nissan, Renault and Kia also posted YoY decreases.

 
Mahindra SA - new Assembly Plant Inauguration - MotorMatters


Mahindra SA - CEO Rajesh Gupta at the Inauguration of the new Assembly Plant - MotorMatters

 
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